Marimekko Corporation, Stock exchange release 8 March 2011, 9.00 AM
MARIMEKKO TUOTANTO OY STARTS STATUTORY EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE NEGOTIATIONS RELATED TO THE REORGANISATION OF ITS WAREHOUSING OPERATIONS
Marimekko Corporation’s subsidiary Marimekko Tuotanto Oy is planning the reorganisation of its warehousing operations in the Herttoniemi district of Helsinki and is starting statutory employer-employee negotiations on possible permanent reductions in staffing. The estimated overall need for reductions in personnel is at most 18 jobs.
The decision to start negotiations was made in the light of the operational changes required by the Marimekko Group’s Finnish online retailing project as well as measures aimed at enhancing the general cost-effectiveness of warehousing operations. At present, goods deliveries are handled by two main warehouses. The company’s aim is to boost the efficiency of warehousing operations and to consolidate them in a single location. In this way, e-commerce deliveries could also be handled most smoothly and profitably.
“We find it very regrettable that we have to go through a process like this, which is difficult for Marimekko employees. E-commerce is becoming more and more common, and our project for this is essential for the development of our business. Since we have decided to invest in e-commerce, we are also obliged to see how all related operations could be arranged in the best possible way. Delivering goods from two main warehouses is not a workable solution for e-commerce and it isn’t cost-effective from the viewpoint of other deliveries either. For this reason we aim to consolidate the warehousing operations in a single location,” says President and CEO Mika Ihamuotila.
In the course of the negotiations, it will be determined how much the reduction in functions can be compensated for by transfers within the Group and whether pensions or special arrangements can be used.
Marimekko Tuotanto Oy is responsible for operations including those of Marimekko’s textile printing factory and warehouse, and at the end of February 2011 it provided a total of 93 jobs. Warehousing operations provide jobs for 23 people.
For additional information, please contact Thomas Ekström, CFO and acting CEO, tel. +358 9 758 7261.
MARIMEKKO CORPORATION
Group Communications
Piia Pakarinen
Tel. +358 9 758 7293
Email: piia.pakarinen@marimekko.fi
DISTRIBUTION:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd
Key media
Marimekko website www.marimekko.com
Marimekko, established in 1951, is a leading Finnish textile and clothing design company renowned for its original prints and colours. The company designs and manufactures high-quality clothing, interior decoration textiles, bags, and other accessories. Marimekko products are sold in about 40 countries. Products with Marimekko designs are also manufactured under licence in various countries. In 2010, the company's net sales amounted to EUR 73.3 million, of which international sales accounted for 29.4%. The Group has about 390 employees. Marimekko's shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd.